There are many reasons why women get a robotic hysterectomy, including diseases like cancer and infections. While the procedure can be intimidating, learning more about the DaVinci robotic hysterectomy and what robotic hysterectomy recovery looks like can ease some of your concerns. Here are the things every woman preparing for or considering a hysterectomy should know about the procedure and the outcome.
What Is a Robotic Hysterectomy?
Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that can remove just the uterus or remove the uterus and the cervix. One of the most common types of hysterectomies today is a robotic laparoscopic hysterectomy. Robotic-assisted surgery can leave you with fewer scars by using special tools that are placed through very small incisions in your abdomen. The DaVinci robotic hysterectomy has magnification features that allow your surgeon to be more precise.
Doctors recommend robotic-assisted surgery for a hysterectomy for a variety of reasons. Because hysterectomies involve the removal of the uterus or both the uterus and cervix, you cannot reverse them. While this can have lifelong consequences for things like your ability to conceive, it can also offer women suffering from fibroids or permanent adenomyosis relief from their symptoms.
What Are the Benefits of a DaVinci Robotic Hysterectomy?
A robotic hysterectomy can help you avoid some of the complications and discomfort that might occur with a traditional open hysterectomy. In general, there is less blood loss, less pain, and the ability to go back to your regular routine much more quickly. Robotic hysterectomy recovery is just one of the benefits of a robotic laparoscopic hysterectomy, which is why many OB-GYNs and surgeons recommend them over an open procedure.
Some of the other patient benefits include:
- Lower risk of infection
- Shorter hospital stay and recovery period
- Smaller incisions than those needed for a traditional open hysterectomy
- Fewer complications
- And more!
Robotic-assisted surgery uses innovative tools that have been designed and refined to mimic human hands. The DaVinci robotic hysterectomy technology gives surgeons a better surgical experience thanks to the 3D view of the area being operated on. They can magnify the view by up to 15 times for as much precision as possible. Robotic hysterectomy surgeries are not just easier on the patients; they are also easier on the surgeons.
Because of the simpler robotic hysterectomy recovery process, it is often recommended over more invasive surgery. Patients who are overweight or obese, patients with uterine or endometrial cancer, and patients with complex health issues are great candidates for robotic laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery. Your OB-GYN can review your options with you and make sure that you are fully informed. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about each phase of the treatment process.
What Is Robotic Hysterectomy Recovery Like?
Robotic hysterectomy recovery is generally less painful and has a shorter duration than open hysterectomy recovery thanks to the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery. Most women stay in the hospital for a short period after their robotic hysterectomy to ensure that they are recovering properly and not experiencing any immediate complications. In the hospital, you will receive nursing care and start the rehabilitation process through things like walking, slowly resuming a regular diet, and ensuring your bowels are working properly.
After the DaVinci robotic hysterectomy, you will feel some pain and discomfort. Once you leave the hospital, your doctor will give you detailed instructions. For most women, robotic laparoscopic hysterectomy recovery includes:
- Not lifting heavy objects for at least three weeks
- Walking regularly to prevent blood clot formation
- Keeping the incisions on your abdomen clean and dry
- Wearing pads if there is some mild bleeding from the vagina in the days following the procedure
- Not inserting anything, including tampons, into the vagina for four to six weeks
How Should You Prepare for a Hysterectomy?
When your surgery is scheduled, your hysterectomy doctor and surgeon will review preparation instructions with you so that you can do your part to ensure a good surgical outcome. You will need to avoid drinking or eating the night before and the morning of your surgery. If you are taking medications currently, you might be asked to stop some of them temporarily beforehand.
Even though the recovery process is typically smooth and seamless for most women, you should still arrange to have someone help you get home and potentially help you around the house for the days following your surgery. If you live with family or a loved one, see if they can take off of work for a few days so that you can minimize movement and get help if you experience any complications.
Why Do Some Women Get a Hysterectomy?
In some cases, hysterectomies are the best way to resolve other health issues and help you lead the best, most comfortable life possible. Because of the permanent nature of a hysterectomy, it is rarely recommended as the first treatment or solution to problems. Some of the most common reasons why women get a hysterectomy include:
- Endometriosis
- Uterine prolapse
- Fibroids
- Cancer (uterine cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, cancerous tumors in the fallopian tubes)
- Chronic, severe pelvic pain
- Adenomyosis
- Long-term uterine bleeding that is abnormal
- Heavy periods that require hospitalization or that severely decrease your quality of life
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Depending on the reason why your doctor has recommended a hysterectomy, it may be your only remaining treatment option for your condition. If you have cancer, you might need to have a hysterectomy as part of the treatment process. A total hysterectomy includes the removal of the cervix. A total hysterectomy is generally prescribed when you have cancer and when you want to remove all risks of having cervical cancer in the future. Total hysterectomies are not shown to impact sex drive or enjoyment.
A partial hysterectomy removes only the uterus, as some women prefer to leave the cervix intact and continue having cervical cancer screenings. In some cases, the ovaries may be removed during the hysterectomy surgery. This is done when there is an elevated risk of ovarian cancer or already cancer present in them. If you are younger or have a low risk of developing ovarian cancer, your South Miami gynecology doctor might recommend leaving them in.
Do You Want to Experience the Benefits of a Hysterectomy? Talk to the Team at South Miami OB-GYN Associates
Whether you are experiencing fibroids that put you through tremendous pain or heavy, irregular periods that require hospitalization, hysterectomy might be the best solution. Women deserve to have their health concerns heard and addressed, and robotic surgery to remove your uterus and cervix can be the permanent solution you are seeking. South Miami OB-GYN Associates works with women of every age who are experiencing health challenges that might require hysterectomy treatment.
How can we help you live a pain-free life? If you are ready to explore options to ease your chronic pelvic pain or want to take the next step in your endometriosis treatment by having a hysterectomy, we are here to support you. To schedule your appointment with South Miami OB-GYN Associates, you can use our fast online scheduling tool above or give us a call at (305) 665-1133.
